Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Kenwuan Meeks | Host of the Ken Meeks Show

When I first started the Ken Meeks Show, I wanted to inspire the youth were I am from. The idea of sitting down and talking to your favorite celebrities is unheard of in the small town were I’m from. Read more>>

Trusha Chandan | Product Designer, Creative Strategist and an Entrepreneur

The unique and serendipitous manner in which I met my co-founders and embarked on our start-up journey unfolds against the backdrop of the debut of COVID-19. While participating in a study abroad program at INSEAD Business School in Singapore, a place renowned for its robust entrepreneurial spirit, I was compelled to return to India several weeks early due to the burgeoning pandemic. My entrepreneurial dreams found an unexpected outlet when, amidst the anxiety of catching the last flight pre-border closure, I discovered INSEAD’s COVID-19 Innovation Competition on social media. My forthcoming summer internship in California had been rescinded due to the pandemic’s volatility, leaving me pondering my next steps during the unoccupied summer. Read more>>

Brendon Henderson | Coach, Healing Practitioner & Educator

When I was starting Henno House, it was all about how can I provide something of value to a community I care about and am a part of. I’ve seen first hand the mental health state of the creative and athlete community. The self-doubt, the anxiety, the addictions, and the outside pressure to perform through it all. I really felt like I had something of value that could help transcend these things, and Henno House is about building a vehicle for some remedies. Read more>>

Sammy Elliott | Entrepreneur, Actor, Director and Model

Honestly, it was more about investing in myself than other people’s brands. I’ve driven results, cultivated engagement, and strategized campaigns for many brands, including content creation, modeling, and promotion. But with big brands, your success is fleeting. That’s why after five years of that, I had the amazing idea to create AyPapiCo, a wellness and cannabis brand where I could pour my passion, hard work, and expertise into something I truly believe in. AyPapiCo is more than just a brand; it’s a vision for a healthier, happier you, infused with the power of nature’s finest ingredients. Read more>>

Mistress K | The Dominatrix Of Comedy, Producer of The Future Is Female Comedy Show & Drag King Klitus Black

I started my business The Future Is Female Comedy Show back in 2020 out of necessity. I’m a female comedian in a male dominated field and a sex worker to boot. Plus, I am a Drag King. It was extremely challenging for me to be book for comedy and drag shows. It’s not surprising that the gatekeepers to the entertainment realm are men. I wasn’t seeing myself or my community represented in most of the comedy shows I was on or in the scene. SO I thought to myself, if you can’t join them, beat them at their own game. I did just that. I was tired of being the token womxn on an otherwise all male lineup and not seeing diversity and queer people on stages. Read more>>

BriAnna Garza | Professional Shooting Coach & Mentor

In short, the thought process was more reactionary than anything else. I can vividly remember shrugging my shoulders and thinking, “It’s time.” This was back in 2021 after the most tumultuous year of my life, stacked with decades of being prevented from leading in the way I really wanted to. I picked up the laptop and designed a tshirt and haven’t stopped building since. Read more>>

Adriana Alvarenga | Cake Artist

front of me. After that I was fascinated by the art of making cakes. I used to be an event planner and always made treats, but cakes was something I hadn’t venture into yet. During my pregnancy I practiced making cakes on my own and made a few small cakes for some parties. After I had a very rough delivery during COVID. I made more cakes during my postpartum. Everyone loved the cakes and kept telling me to sell them, so I did. I then decided that I wanted to start making cakes officially. I came up with a new logo and started with small cakes, and took on big cake projects. A lot of new clients gave me so much trust on making their cakes. Read more>>

Brenden Davis-Ortiz | Entrepreneur & cafe owner

I have worked in the service industry throughout the entirety of my career. I encountered countless jobs where the culture had been toxic and, in many cases, dangerous to the health of myself and others. Simultaneously, I began to notice a profound sense of community around coffee, which sparked my interests. Coffee has this way of creating a bridge between worlds; connected communities that would otherwise never intersect. I decided, if i could not find a safe space for me to work safely and happily in, I would create that space for myself and others. I wanted something that people could count on, a safe space where people could meet. I had found my intention, my drive, or motivation… now comes the work. Read more>>

Dana Anbar | Artist & Holistic Nutritionist

The idea of kickstarting my own art business really came from just wanting to live life on my terms. I’m an artist, and creating is what makes me feel alive. Painting and drawing aren’t just hobbies; they’re my soul food. When it comes to this whole ‘business’ thing, it’s not about slapping a label on what I love—it’s about the nitty-gritty behind the scenes. I’m all about soaking up knowledge every day because growth is key. You can call it a business, but it’s the grind and the passion that really matter. Thinking ahead, I picture my life 5 or 10 years down the road, and a 9-5 gig just doesn’t fit the vibe I’m after. Read more>>

Jude McVay | Pet caregiver

My thought process behind starting my own business had more to do with the type of person I am. I am very independent and have never been a fan of being told what to do. I had definitely put in my time with crap jobs and I had always cared for & rescued animals naturally on the side. So when I started working for a petsitting company I saw how it could be a profession. And a way to actually be happy everyday. Read more>>

Taylor Eads | Artist & Designer

I started general_consensus after realizing I was a horrible employee. By that I mean, I had no interest in dedicating time to someone else’s business, or corporation, if it didn’t directly affect my creative brain. I needed something that was my own. A space where the time spent in it had a tangible outcome made by the same hours of effort. Starting general_consensus also gave me my power back as a black woman in today’s political landscape. I live in Chicago and the houseless community, as much as the skyscrapers, had become apart of my view. Being born from poverty and having experienced disadvantages based on the way that I look or where I came from was a huge inspiration for starting my own business. Read more>>

DJ Laggz | Radio/Mobile DJ

The art of DJing has always caught my ear and at the young age of 5, I found myself listening to music in a way that others in my family did not. While they were singing along to the songs, I would listen to not only the vocals but the various instruments in the background. The moment I heard DJ’s like Mr.Choc and Coke-E mixing and scratching on the radio, I knew I wanted to learn what they were doing. At that moment, a lifelong passion was born and I pursued DJing as a career. I had my first paid gig when I was 17 years old and I loved being able to take a crowd of people on a musical journey that could uplift and excite them to escape the stresses of the day-to-day. Read more>>

Matty Cardarople | Working Actor and Filmmaker

I knew from the beginning after graduating high school that I wasn’t wired to work a 9-5 job or sit behind a desk. And that I had to figure out to make that happen. I knew that acting and filmmaking was what got me up in the morning. And also I had a medical scare with my heart and I knew that I had to go for my dream of being an actor because bringing people a smile and a laugh is my mission and passion in life. Especially, those that struggle. Through years of support from my parents, working odd jobs, years and years of not giving up. Audition after audition. I started booking and making a name for myself. And I can happily say that I’m a steady working actor and growing my business by pursuing to make my own projects. Read more>>

Angela Tyler | Music Publicist, Owner of Muddy Paw PR

If I’m being totally honest, I was just tired of getting laid off from jobs I hated, and spending my days crying in corporate bathrooms over jobs I didn’t want. I’d been running my music blog, Infectious Magazine, for about five years at that point and I knew that I loved the music industry and wanted to help bands on a larger scale and get paid for it. After years of being on the receiving end of press releases I thought, “hey, someone is paying them to do this. Maybe I could do it too.” And that was it! I was incredibly naive with nothing to lose and there couldn’t have been a better time for me to take that risk (which really didn’t feel like a risk at all) than my early twenties. Read more>>

Taji Hathcock | Creator: Recording Artist, Producer, Recording Engineer, Content Creator

I grew up as an recoding artist, still am an artist and one of my biggest challenges was always studio time. Being able to get your music mixed and having a place to work at consistently is one of the biggest factors for anyone to make music. Before I ever started my studio I just wanted to be able to record my self and make it sound good. Once I figured it all out me and my business partner, Vince Pates wanted to have a recording studio where artist can afford to come to work on their craft at a reasonable price. I always try to look at as if I were a costumer looking for studio time what would I want out of the service and apply that though process to my business. Read more>>

Bao Duong | Barber & Videographer

Starting my own business has been more than just a step-by-step process—it’s been a journey of discovering who I am and growing along the way. I’ve always believed that having my own business would give me the freedom to express myself and my creativity without any limits. I love art and barbering, so I wanted to create a space where I could blend both passions and offer a unique style and vibe to my clients. When I was 15, I started my own barbershop back in Vietnam. It was a tiny shop tucked away in a small alley, but it became really popular, especially among the Vietnamese hip-hop and artist crowd. It was amazing to see how something small could make such a big impact in my community. Read more>>

Patricia Flores Acosta | Owner on Ebenezer Quality Cleaning Services

“I am a hardworking woman who has always dreamed of changing the negative thoughts surrounding women in my culture. In my native country, women were primarily seen as meant for having children and staying at home. However, when I arrived in this country more than 20 years ago, I encountered a different world full of opportunities that only those who strive and fight for them can attain. Women have grown significantly intellectually, personally, and spiritually. We have realized our strength. I have experience leading people, I am very dedicated to my work, and I always strive to give my best. Now, with a family and especially with a daughter whom I want to show the strength that God has given us to live and shape the life we want to live, the dreams we want to achieve, not what our surroundings dictate.” Read more>>

Julio Garcia | Producer, Race Director, Triathlete

When I started Jive Live Entertainment in 2009, it was born out of a genuine passion for creating unforgettable experiences. At the time, I was fueled by the belief that there was no plan B for me – I was determined to make a mark in the event industry. Despite beginning in my small apartment, I envisioned an enterprise that would redefine entertainment and become a trusted partner for our clients. It was a combination of passion, dedication, and a bit of audacity that set the foundation for Jive Live Entertainment. Over the years, we’ve evolved into a brand that values creativity, professionalism, and most importantly, the happiness of our clients and their guests. The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’m proud to see how far we’ve come since those early days. Read more>>

Nikki Bidlingmeyer | Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, and Reflective Practice Facilitator

Children’s brains develop connections faster in the first 5 years than in any other time in their lives. The first five years of life is when the foundations of learning, health, and behavior are laid down, similar to the foundation of a new home being built. There is so much pressure on parents to support their child’s development and learning in these first 5 years, but so few resources for the parents themselves- especially when those first 5 years are more challenging than is typical. I want to be a specialized resource for families in this season of life that is so uniquely difficult, and still so crucial to a child’s later success and well-being. Read more>>

Katrina Rairez | Destination photographer & Founder K17 Production””

When I first arrived in the United States two years ago, fleeing the war in Ukraine, I found myself faced with a challenging yet transformative journey. Inspired by my passion for destination photography and videography, as well as my background in marketing and branding, I saw an opportunity to create something meaningful in the vibrant landscapes of the US, mainly in California and Florida. The thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in my desire to capture the beauty of life’s special moments through the lens of my camera and helping brands with their story and visual appearance online.
Today I’ll share my experience in the project “The miracle of Birth”. Read more>>

Gary Neal Jr | Author and Clothing line owner

Being both a veteran and a government contractor I missed a significant amount of time in my children’s lives. I wanted to make my sacrifice and legacy worth something for them. I actually created the my company name on my twin boys birthday 7/19/2017 Pride and Egoos. It is an acronym standing for People Representing Individuality Diversity and Equality/ Everybody’s Got Our Own Stories. Read more>>

Harby Yang | Managing Partner & CEO of Chubby Group

Our journey began with a simple idea: to redefine Asian cuisine in the US. Chubby Cattle’s origin story revolves around my own story. I grew up in Inner Mongolia, where hotpot is one of the traditional meals. My early exposure to the restaurant industry ignited my passion for food and hospitality. In 2014, I embarked on a culinary journey by opening a Chinese restaurant in Las Vegas’s Chinatown during college, but it encountered severe financial challenges and incurred losses. I transformed the failing venture into his first hot pot restaurant, Chubby Cattle, despite widespread skepticism. Read more>>

Julian Ang | Owner of 4th St BAKER

During the pandemic, many of us learned how to bake and many others baked more. I have always loved baking as a hobby, I loved baking for friends and family. I never would have thought of baking as a business, let alone from the comfort of my home. I did not think that I would be able to produce bakery-quality goods from a home oven. And most importantly, I did not think it would be a profitable venture. Nevertheless, with a little bit of guts and curiosity, I gathered all the necessary permits, licenses and insurance to be able to sell from home. I wanted to see if I could turn this hobby into something more worthwhile. Read more>>

Verhonda crawford | Fashion Designer

I started my business when I was serving as City Councilwoman in my hometown because I wanted to see how hard it is to start a business in a rural community in a hard niche. I am firm believer of economic development and I wanted to be the example for future business owners. As a formal attire designer that specialize in prom, pageant, and bridal attire, there are not a lot of designers that look like me. I wanted to show my community that it is possible to be successful in a very hard industry as a minority. Read more>>

Ashwini Murthy | Executive Producer

I wanted to create a business with my partner that infused masculinity and femininity within the world of advertising and commercial content. I loved working alongside my partner and we truly felt like we balanced one another like a scale when it came to creative projects and planning/creating campaigns for brands and businesses. We wanted to infuse the best of both worlds that we were apart of- business for me and the arts for my husband. It started as a vehicle for self expression, but later turned out to be a necessity when we moved to Los Angeles and no one wanted to hire us as employers. Read more>>

Carla D. Stanton | Wife, Mother & Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

The thought process behind starting my business was to provide an enhanced experience for expecting mothers to better connect with their baby during pregnancy. The lack of insurance authorization plays a big role in limiting the number of ultrasounds a doctor can allow an expecting mother to have. During the nine months of pregnancy, the average number of ultrasounds an expecting mother will have is only two. For most expecting mothers, ultrasounds are the only window they have to connect with their baby. For others, ultrasounds are a critical way of bringing them the peace of mind that their baby’s heart is still beating. Read more>>

Julie Susdorf | Owner and Stylist at Perfect Day Perfect Look

In 2013, I had the opportunity to branch off from being a stylist in a large salon to owning my own studio salon. I took the leap and within 2 years of becoming a licensed stylist and building my clientele, I had my own salon. It was mine. It was only me. But in 2015, 2 short years later, I grew into the largest studio salon with a team behind me, a bridal team that offered Hair and Makeup. Within the 18 months, my team grew out of that Studio salon and I opened my very own store front Salon in Feb of 2018. Read more>>

Helen Altenbach Los AnCellos | Cellist/Co-Op starter/Marriage and Family Therapist

I grew up in a family of professional cellists. On my father’s side, there are a total of eight of us spread out between three generations and three continents. Growing up in China, my extended family would often gather to play, teach, and learn from each other musically. I was the second youngest at the time, so I had a lot to learn from everyone above me. When my parents and I moved to Moscow in the early 90s, I lost that connection to my extended family. And now 30 years later, I wanted to rebuild that community with my cello friends and colleagues in Los Angeles. Read more>>